Magnetic-Latch Stabbing Guide

ABSTRACT

A magnetic-latch stabbing guide apparatus is presented enabling a first drill pipe to connect with a second drill pipe. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide easily attached to the first drill pipe and facilitates connection between the first drill pipe and the second drill pipe. During the connection process, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide easily detaches from the two drill pipes without physical manipulation of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a stabbing guide apparatus that facilitates connection of a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe. Specifically, the apparatus provides an internal coupling region which enables the male and female ends of a drill pipe to form a connection without damaging the ends of the drill pipe. The apparatus easily attaches to the first drill pipe, guides a second drill pipe into a position for attachment to the first drill pipe and easily detaches from two drill pipes after the first and second drill pipes form a connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drill pipe extends down into oil and gas formation beneath an oil or gas drilling rig floor. Drill pipe provides a conduit for the flow of oil or gas from an oil or gas formation well below the rig floor to a collection device. To achieve sufficient depth of drill pipe into a formation, drill pipes are connected together as they are lowered into a formation. Effective and strong drill pipe connections allow oil and gas to flow safely for collection and delivery to market; therefore, drill pipe joints need to be connected without damage thereto.

A variety of stabbing guides are currently used to manipulate and orient a second drill pipe into a position to connect to a first drill pipe, which extends into the oil or gas formation. Current stabbing guides comprise an outer surface and an inner surface, a front portion a back portion and two side portions. Stabbing guides are typically cylindrical and vertically divided into two segments. A hinge mechanism on the back portion is typically used for attaching the two segments of the stabbing guide together. The stabbing guide's outer front surface has a mechanical latching mechanism comprising a buckle or bolt, which is physically manipulated by a user to lock the two segments together for securing the two segments of the stabbing guide to the top of a first drill pipe disposed on the rig floor. The top portion of the stabbing guide is then used to direct the attachment of a second drill pipe to first drill pipe.

Often the stabbing guide's hinges, located on the outer surface, become unusable due to the action of rust, ice or mud build up, and routine wear. Similarly, the latching mechanism, also located on the outer surface of the guide, becomes damaged through repetitive use, rust and ice and mud build-up. As a result, the stabbing guide must be repaired or replaced

Current stabbing guides often require the latching system to be mechanically undone and unlatched as the second drill pipe inserts into and connects with the first drill pipe during the connection process. If the currently-used stabbing guides are not mechanically unlatched during the connection process, the stabbing guide can be torn apart and damaged, and will need to be replaced. Further, damaged stabbing guides can cause damage to the ends of drill pipe. Any damage to the ends of drill pipe and/or the threads located there mandates removal and replacement of the damaged drill pipe because of environmental or safety risks. Removal and replacement of drill pipe is costly in terms of time and money.

Thus, there is a long felt need for alternatives to conventional stabbing guides having outer hinges and conventional outer mechanical latching mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an easily attachable and detachable magnetic-latch stabbing guide for connecting a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe. The invention disclosed herein facilitates connection between the first drill pipe passing through a rig floor and a second, maneuverable drill pipe by easily attaching to the top of the first drill pipe. The current invention guides the second drill pipe for an effective drill pipe connection and easily detached from the two joined drill pipes once union of the two drill pipes is made. There is no need to physically manipulate a mechanical latching mechanism.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a magnetic-latch stabbing guide to connect a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a back portion, the top portion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide further comprising a funnel-shaped portion opening to the outside of the top portion, a neck portion underneath the funnel-shaped portion, a shoulder portion underneath and in contact with the neck portion, and a female coupling opening to the outside of the bottom portion and in contact with the shoulder portion, the stabbing guide being vertically divided in the front portion and vertically divided in the back portion, thereby forming a first guide segment and a second guide segment, the front portion comprises a first magnet disposed in the first guide segment and a second magnet disposed in the second guide segment, the first magnet disposed and aligned to attract the second magnet, said back portion comprising a hinge in contact with said first segment and said second segment.

In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a magnetic-latch stabbing guide for attaching a female end of a first drill pipe to a male end of a second drill pipe, the male end having a proximal portion having a circumference and attached to a tapered distal end having a small circumference, said stabbing guide comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a back portion, the top portion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide further comprising a funnel-shaped portion opening to the outside of the top portion, a neck portion underneath the funnel-shaped portion, a shoulder portion underneath and in contact with the neck portion, and a female coupling opening to the outside of the bottom portion and in contact with the shoulder portion, the stabbing guide being vertically divided in the front portion and vertically divided in the back portion, thereby forming a first guide segment and a second guide segment, the front portion comprises a first magnet disposed in the first guide segment and a second magnet disposed in the second guide segment, the first magnet disposed and aligned to attract the second magnet, said back portion comprising a hinge in contact with said first segment and said second segment, said neck portion having a neck portion inner circumference greater than the small circumference of the tapered distal end and the neck portion inner circumference smaller than the circumference of the proximal potion of the second drill pipe.

Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a magnetic-latch stabbing guide apparatus, which guides drill pipes together for connection in a safe, quick and effective manner. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide is easy to use and can function in a variety of terrain, and accommodate a wide variety weather conditions and oil field wear and tear. The magnetic latch provides for quick, easy, safe and non-destructive detachment of the stabbing guide from the joined drill pipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention showing the magnetic-latch stabbing guide in closed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention showing the magnetic-latch stabbing guide in open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the magnetic-latch stabbing guide is between a first drill pipe's female end and a second drill pipe's male end and ready for attaching the two drill pipes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention showing the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 in closed position. In one embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 comprises a cylindrical apparatus having a top portion 2 and bottom portion 3. At the guide top portion 2, a funnel-shaped portion 6 is shown. The funnel-shaped portion has a large opening 12 disposed at the very top of the funnel-shaped portion 6. The funnel-shaped portion inner surface 14 connects the large funnel-shaped portion opening 12 to a smaller funnel-shaped portion opening 13. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 further comprises a funnel-shaped portion outer surface 15 on the outside of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the funnel-shaped portion 6 has a smaller funnel-shaped portion opening 13 in contact with the neck portion 7, specifically at the neck portion top section 18. The neck portion 7 has a neck portion inner surface 16 and neck portion outer surface 17. The neck portion inner surface 16 has a neck portion inner circumference 19, which is concentric with the large funnel-shaped portion opening 12. The neck portion bottom section 20 is in contact with and perpendicular to the shoulder portion 8. The shoulder portion inner surface 21 connects the neck portion bottom section 20 to the female coupling inner surface 23 of the female coupling 9. The female coupling 9 has a female coupling inner circumference 24, which accommodates a first drill pipe by completely enclosing the top female portion of the drill pipe, not depicted in FIG. 1. The female coupling inner surface 24 is aligned concentric with the neck portion inner surface 19 and perpendicular to the shoulder portion inner surface 21.

FIG. 1 further depicts the female coupling outer surface 22 located at the guide bottom portion 3 in contact with the neck portion outer surface 17, which is in contact with the funnel-shaped portion outer surface 15 at the guide top portion 2. Thus, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 is horizontally layered from guide top portion 2 to guide bottom portion 3, with the funnel-shaped portion 6 at the top followed by the neck portion 7, which is followed by the shoulder portion 8 then female coupling 9.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the stabbing guide 1 in a closed position. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 is vertically divided at the guide front portion 4 and the guide back portion 5. The vertical division is depicted with solid lines 36 on the visible surfaces of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 and dashed lines 37 on non-visible surfaces from this perspective. The vertical division of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 separates the stabbing guide into a first guide segment 10 and a second guide segment 11.

FIG. 1 further depicts a hinge 29 in contact with the first guide segment 10 and second guide segment 11. An attached embedded hinge provides that that the two guide segments remain in proximity to and aligned with each other when the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 is open.

In one embodiment of the invention, the hinge 29 comprises a nylon encapsulated hinge. A nylon encapsulated hinge has significant advantages over metallic and mechanical hinges in the field because of its ease of use, it accumulates less ice and mud, and it does not rust.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the hinge 29 is at least partially embedded in both the first guide segment 10 and the second guide segment 11. The hinge may be embedded between the outer surface 15 and inner funnel-shaped portion surface 14. In another embodiment of the present invention, the hinge 29 may be embedded between the outer neck portion surface 17 and the inner neck portion surface 16. In yet another embodiment of the present invention the hinge 29 may be embedded between the female coupling inner surface 23 and the female coupling outer surface 22.

FIG. 1 depicts the first guide segment 10 in proximity to the second guide segment 11. The first guide segment 10 comprises a first magnet 27 at least partially embedded in the first guide segment 10. A second magnet 28 is at least partially embedded in the second guide segment 11. Both magnets are embedded in the front portion 4 of their perspective segments and serve to magnetically close and latch the two segments together. First magnet 27 is embedded, disposed and orientated within the first guide segment 10 to attract magnetically the second magnet 28, which is disposed and embedded in second guide segment 11.

The magnetic-latch stabbing guide is comprised of any material chosen from any of polyurethane, rubber, latex, alloy, plastic, carbon, carbon fiber and polymeric materials. In at least one embodiment of the stabbing guide, any of the funnel-shaped portion, the neck portion, the shoulder portion and female coupling are integrally formed.

FIG. 1 further depicts the guide comprising a first handle 31 and a second handle 32. The first handle 31 is attached to the first guide segment 10 and disposed between the guide front portion 4 and the guide back portion 5. The second handle 32 is attached to the second guide segment 11 and disposed between the guide front portion 4 and the guide back portion 5. As a means of attachment of the handles to the guide segments, the first guide handle 31 and the second guide handle 32 may be partially embedded or screwed into the first guide segment 10 and the second guide segment 11, respectively.

FIG. 1 further depicts the funnel-shaped portion inner surface 14 disposed at the guide top portion 2. In use, the second drill pipe first contacts the funnel-shaped portion inner surface 14 as it is lowered into position for attachment and union with the first drill pipe. The second drill pipe is further lowered and guided into the neck portion inner surface 16. The neck portion inner surface 16 comprises a predetermined circumference 19 which accommodates insertion of the second drill pipe.

Turning to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 is depicted in an open position. The first magnet 27 is disposed in the first guide segment 10 between the female coupling inner surface 23 and the female coupling outer surface 22. Similarly, the second magnet 28 is disposed in the second guide segment 11 between the female coupling inner surface 23 and the female coupling outer surface 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the first magnet 27 and second magnet 28 are disposed such that when the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 is in a closed position, the magnets will be close together and in alignment such that the magnets can lock the stabbing guide segments together.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict the first magnet 27 and second magnet 28 embedded in the guide bottom portion. In another embodiment the magnets are embedded between the funnel-shaped portion inner surface 14 and funnel-shaped portion outer surface 15. In yet another embodiment, the magnets are embedded between the neck portion inner surface 16 and the neck portion outer surface 17.

FIG. 2 also shows the hinge 29 disposed in the guide back portion 5 and partially encapsulated in both the first guide segment 10 and second guide segment 11. In FIG. 2, the encapsulation of the hinge 29 is demonstrated by dotted lines.

The shoulder portion 8 and its shoulder portion inner surface 21 are further depicted in FIG. 2. In use, the top portion of first drill pipe abuts against the shoulder portion inner surface 21. The female coupling inner surface 23 contacts the top of the drill pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the outer surface of the rig or casing pipe and the female coupling inner surface 23 would secure the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 in a fixed position such that there was little or no motion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 when the second drill pipe contacts the inner funnel-shaped portion surface 14.

FIG. 3 depicts a rig floor 33 having a vertically extended first drill pipe 34 and a second drill pipe 40 above the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1. In use, first drill pipe 34 is lowered into the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 for connection of the two drill pipes.

In one embodiment, the female portion 41 of the first drill pipe 34 comprises a tapered and threaded inner portion 42 to accommodate attachment to the tapered and threaded male portion 43 of the second drill pipe 40 via the narrow distal end 44 and a proximal portion 45. The narrow distal end 44 of the male portion 43 has a circumference which is smaller than the neck portion inner circumference 19. The proximal portion 45 of the tapered male portion 43 of the second drill pipe 40 has a circumference which is greater than the circumference of the neck portion inner circumference 19. As the proximal portion 45 is threaded into and enters the female portion 41 of the first drill pipe 34, an internal force is exerted on the magnetic-latch stabbing guide causing the first magnet 27 to separate from second magnet 28. Thus, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide 1 opens and detaches from the connected first and second drill pipes.

The ability of the magnetic latch to open and separate the stabbing guide as the second drill pipe 40 is inserted into the first drill pipe 34 is a distinct advantage the present invention has over current stabbing guides. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide requires no physical manipulation of latching mechanisms. Thus, the opportunity for human error and injury and property damage is greatly diminished.

It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic-latch stabbing guide to connect a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe, comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a back portion, the top portion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide further comprising a funnel-shaped portion opening to the outside of the top portion, a neck portion underneath the funnel-shaped portion, a shoulder portion underneath and in contact with the neck portion, and a female coupling opening to the outside of the bottom portion and in contact with the shoulder portion, the stabbing guide being vertically divided in the front portion and vertically divided in the back portion, thereby forming a first guide segment and a second guide segment, the front portion comprises a first magnet disposed in the first guide segment and a second magnet disposed in the second guide segment, the first magnet disposed and aligned to attract the second magnet, said back portion comprising a hinge in contact with said first segment and said second segment.
 2. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the funnel-shaped portion comprises a large opening disposed in proximity to the top portion of the guide, a smaller opening in contact with the neck portion, and an inner surface disposed between the large opening and the smaller opening.
 3. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the neck portion comprises an inner surface, a top section in contact with the smaller opening of the funnel-shaped portion and a bottom section in contact with the shoulder portion, said neck portion further comprising a neck portion inner circumference concentric with the large opening.
 4. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the shoulder portion comprises an inner surface disposed perpendicular to said inner surface of the neck portion and in contact with the female coupling.
 5. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the female coupling is disposed proximal to the bottom portion of the guide and comprises an outer surface and an inner surface having a female coupling inner circumference aligned concentric with said neck portion inner circumference and disposed perpendicular to the inner surface of said shoulder portion.
 6. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1 comprised of any material chosen from any of polyurethane, rubber, latex, alloy, plastic, carbon, carbon fiber, urethane and polymeric material.
 7. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is embedded in the first segment of the front portion and the second magnet is embedded in the second segment of the front portion.
 8. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the hinge is at least partially embedded in the first guide segment of the back portion and the hinge is at least partially embedded in the second guide segment of the back portion.
 9. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a nylon-encapsulated hinge.
 10. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 1, wherein the guide further comprises a first handle attached to the first segment and a second handle attached to the second segment.
 11. A magnetic-latch stabbing guide for attaching a female end of a first drill pipe to a male end of a second drill pipe, the male end having a proximal portion having a circumference and attached a tapered distal end having a small circumference, said stabbing guide comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a back portion, the top portion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide further comprising a funnel-shaped portion opening to the outside of the top portion, a neck portion underneath the funnel-shaped portion, a shoulder portion underneath and in contact with the neck portion, and a female coupling opening to the outside of the bottom portion and in contact with the shoulder portion, the stabbing guide being vertically divided in the front portion and vertically divided in the back portion, thereby forming a first guide segment and a second guide segment, the front portion comprises a first magnet disposed in the first guide segment and a second magnet disposed in the second guide segment, the first magnet disposed and aligned to attract the second magnet, said back portion comprising a hinge in contact with said first segment and said second segment, said neck portion having a neck portion inner circumference greater than the small circumference of the tapered distal end and the neck portion inner circumference smaller than the circumference of the proximal potion of the second drill pipe.
 12. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the funnel-shaped portion comprises a large opening disposed in proximity to the top portion of the guide, a smaller opening in contact with the neck portion, and an inner surface disposed between the large opening and the smaller opening.
 13. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the neck portion comprises an inner surface, a top section in contact with the smaller opening of the funnel-shaped portion and a bottom section in contact with the shoulder portion, said neck portion further comprising a neck portion inner circumference concentric with the large opening.
 14. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the shoulder portion comprises an inner surface disposed perpendicular to said inner surface of the neck portion and in contact with the female coupling.
 15. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the female coupling is disposed proximal to the bottom portion of the guide and comprises an outer surface and an inner surface having a female coupling inner circumference aligned concentric with said neck portion inner circumference and disposed perpendicular to the inner surface of said shoulder portion.
 16. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11 comprised of any material chosen from any of polyurethane, rubber, latex, alloy, plastic, carbon, carbon fiber, urethane and polymeric material.
 17. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the first magnet is embedded in the first segment of the front portion and the second magnet is embedded in the second segment of the front portion.
 18. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the hinge is at least partially embedded in the first guide segment of the back portion and the hinge is at least partially embedded in the second guide segment of the back portion.
 19. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the hinge is a nylon-encapsulated hinge.
 20. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide of claim 11, wherein the guide further comprises a first handle attached to the first segment and a second handle attached to the second segment. 